{"id":132,"date":"2016-04-03T20:08:58","date_gmt":"2016-04-03T20:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pbthomas.com\/thoughts\/?p=132"},"modified":"2016-04-08T09:12:37","modified_gmt":"2016-04-08T09:12:37","slug":"seventeen-simple-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pbthomas.com\/thoughts\/?p=132","title":{"rendered":"Seventeen Simple Things"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seventeen Simple Things<\/p>\n

Here are 17 suggestions for simple straightforward inexpensive obvious things which any church could do to help its mission, outreach, evangelism and community involvement.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Pray!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Days of prayer and nights of prayer and weeks of prayer and prayer walking. \u201cAsking is the rule of the kingdom.\u201d (Spurgeon)<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Offer prayer<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \u201cWhat can I pray for you?\u201d Offer prayer to contacts and the community. (Thanks to Rich Blake-Lobb for this idea.)<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. A Church Mobile Phone<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        A simple Pay As You Go mobile phone for incoming voicemails and texts giving a long-term number which does not change with personnel and you are happy to publicise very widely. Budget \u00a310 to buy (or a free SIM card with somebody\u2019s old phone) plus \u00a310 per year.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. A Church Website<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          A simple attractive web site with a memorable web address publicizing the church\u2019s street address and postcode (for SatNav) mobile phone number, days and times of main activities, details of special events and seeker-friendly information about the Christian faith. Budget \u00a350 per year.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. A Church Facebook Group<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Better than a Facebook Page to communicate information and build community. Budget: free.
            \nUse targeted Facebook adverts to publicise the Group and the website address at the same time as an invitation to a specific special event. Budget \u00a310 per campaign.<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. A Welcome Leaflet<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              A simple attractive leaflet about the church to give to everybody who visits services or regular activities. Featuring the web address, Facebook Group, mobile number, details of activities which are unlikely to change, introduction to the minister and to the Christian faith.\u00a0 Budget \u00a350 for 500.<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. A Special \u201cGuest Service and a Special Midweek Event<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                At least one of each every year \u2013 \u00a0occasions where visitors and guests and expected and warmly invited. Each gives Christians an opportunity to talk to their friends, neighbours and colleagues about Jesus and to invite them to a Christian occasion.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. A Seasonal Giveaway<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  A faith-sharing gift to give to anybody who comes to special services or events e.g. a New Testament (\u00a31), an evangelistic DVD (50p) or your own book \u201cThe Difference Jesus Makes.\u201d Budget \u00a350.<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. \u201cThe Difference Jesus Makes\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    A simple booklet specific to your own church combining testimonies of members\u2019 own experiences with explanations of the Christian faith. Give away at special events and for members to give to their friends, neighbours and colleagues especially if it contains their own testimony. Easily photocopied or professionally printed relatively cheaply in quantities. Budget \u00a350 for 100.<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. A Christmas Card to Deliver<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      A Card from the church with a Christian image on the front containing a Christmas message, details of regular services and activities, website address and mobile number and offer of your \u201cseasonal giveaway\u201d. Delivered to all the homes in your target community. Budget \u00a355 for 1000.<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. Invitation Cards\/Flyers<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                        A5 Flyers or A6 Cards for special events (see 4) to give to all church contacts (for members to give to their friends, neighbours and colleagues and to give to all attendees of regular activities). Budget \u00a310 for 200.<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        1. Posters<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          Seasonal or Invitation A3 Posters (linked to items 6 and 9 and to 10) for local community noticeboards and shop windows and for windows of members\u2019 homes. Budget \u00a310 for 20.<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          1. Use Local Media<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                            Make full use of local press, community directories and websites, \u201cwhat\u2019s on\u201d pages etc. All free. (Thanks to Rich Blake-Lobb for this idea.)<\/p>\n

                              \n
                            1. Refreshments on every occasion<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                              At least at every main service and whenever guests and visitors are invited, generous hospitality (better than they were expecting) gives opportunity for conversations and building relationships.<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              1. Interior Displays<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                Purposeful noticeboards with clear headings, bright, attractive and informative and refreshed regularly. Some Christian images and texts to provoke thought and stimulate conversations. Budget \u00a320. (Thanks to Steff Rooney for this idea.)<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                1. An Attractive Modern Exterior Sign<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                  Showing the church name, web address, mobile phone number and time of main meeting(s) in a modern font easily readable by passers-by. Budget: this one might cost some money but it will be worth it because it shows that the church is actually still open.<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  1. Try Something New<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                    In addition to all the above, every year attempt at least one new thing the church has never done before in mission, outreach, evangelism or community involvement!<\/p>\n

                                     <\/p>\n

                                    Baptist Collaboration in Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                    Some of these 17 simple things may nevertheless be hard to do for some churches because they do not have people with the necessary skills (running a website or Facebook Group, or desktop publishing for leaflets and posters). Others may be hard because the church has very few people (delivering lots of leaflets). Although all these things (apart from one) could be done for \u00a3325 in the first year and under \u00a3200 in subsequent years, for some churches finance may be the limiting factor.<\/p>\n

                                    If a larger church were prepared to provide skills, person-power and finance to help a small church achieve these 17 simple things, both would be greatly enriched!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                    Seventeen Simple Things Here are 17 suggestions for simple straightforward inexpensive obvious things which any church could do to help its mission, outreach, evangelism and…<\/span><\/p>\n

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